The challenge of digital
The Ilfochrome process was for over forty years the premier method for traditional printing of color slides. Its rich, saturated colors and mirror-like finishs well, as good archival properties, were unique in photographic printing. Over the last ten years digital methods of printing have come into their own and the consensus seems to be that the advantages of a digital workflow exceed what can be done in straight darkroom printing. Whether starting from a digital camera file or a high quality scan film, the exquisite level of control a program like Adobe Photoshop offers photographers cannot be duplicated in with darkroom techniques of dodging and burning, or even with contrast masking. A look similar to Ilfochrome can be had by printing digital files through a digital enlarger like the LightJet 430, onto Fuji Crystal Archive Super Glossy paper, and the far wider choices of papers for high end inkjet printing have no equal in darkroom processes.
The future of Ilfochrome
As a result of this surge in digital printing, whether it takes the form of LightJet photographic prints or inkjet "giclée" prints, demand for our Ilfochrome services fell off significantly starting about 2001.
After more than thirty years of Ilfochrome/Cibachrome printing at The LightRoom, we have closed down the darkroom portion of our services. The last print was made at the end of 2005, the chemicals drained and the processor dismantled. We've struggled with this decision for the last few years, continuing the service well beyond the ability to justify it financially.
Since I started the lab printing Cibachrome exclusively, in the basement darkroom of a friend in 1975, I have enjoyed offering a truly custom, personalized service for everyone who loved this method of printing slides. As we all know, progress has marched merrily along and we at The LightRoom have been happy to embrace the new digital printing methods that we feature. The bottom line has always been the final product, the image on the print.
I am happy to announce that while we no longer print Ilfochrome, I have been able to reduce the prices on our Custom LightJet prints on the SuperGlossy surface from 35% higher than the regular glossy/matte print prices to an average surcharge of about 15%, making them about what we used to charge for Ilfochrome prints. This surface is virtually indistinguishable from the mirror-like finish of Ilfochrome, maybe even better. The colors are just as saturated. With the advantages of digital control in adjusting the image, our Custom and Master level LightJet printing will completely exceed the quality and duplicate the 'look' of anything we used to be able to do in the darkroom, and we can do it from slides, negatives or digital camera files.
For those who mourn the loss of Ilfochrome, please look to our digital offerings and consider trying a print or two. For no more than you used to pay for an Ilfochrome (for our Custom prints,) I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well the Fuji Crystal Archive SuperGlossy material performs.
Our web site has always provided the most extensive information about Ilfochrome to be found anywhere. While we no longer offer the service, I am going to leave the information here as long as Ilfochrome is still in production. You are welcome to learn from it and use it, if you can find a lab still printing Ilfochrome.
The facts about printing on Ilfochrome
The Information link button takes you to a comprehensive page of useful information about the Ilfochrome Classic printing material. On it you can learn about the process-how to choose slides for printing, mounting and displaying your prints, the differences between Ilfochrome Classic and other slide printing materials, paper choices and much more.
The Glossary link brings up a page of common terminology used in color printing.
Masking will explain all about contrast masking, an advanced technique we offer to help control high contrast imagery to preserve more highlight and shadow detail in your pictures.
But do explore digital printing. We’re living in a fortunate time-many options now exist for color printing, with quality levels never before achieved.